It’s not looking good for Kane Palma-Newport, who limped off the field in the second half of Bath Rugby’s 27-23 victory at Welford Road.

The tighthead has suffered an Achilles’ tendon injury and, although the club are waiting for a full prognosis, head coach Tabai Matson was openly concerned when updating the Chronicle at Farleigh House.

“I think we’re going to get a medical update today, but it’s not good,” he said. “It’s looking sinister.”

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Palma-Newport’s injury means Bath have only two fit tightheads who have played first-team rugby this season in Anthony Perenise, who recently re-joined the club from Bristol and came on for Palma-Newport at Welford Road, and Sam Nixon.

Nixon joined the academy from Plymouth last season as a loosehead but came off the bench in all three pre-season games on the other side of the scrum and played there for Bath United against Saracens Storm last Friday night.

Looking ahead to Saturday's visit from two-time European champions Saracens, Matson said: “It will be a big ask for Sam. We haven’t named the team yet but we’re looking at all our options.